Former India centre forward Shivendra Singh is set to be appointed assistant coach of the national men's hockey team and will start working with the side next month.
A livewire during his playing days, Shivendra will exclusively work with the strikers and form an integral part of the Indian coaching staff set to be headed by Australian Graham Reid.
Reid's appointment is just a formality now after Hockey India and Sports Authority of India recommended his name to the Sports Ministry.
Besides Shivendra, former Australian drag-flicker Chris Ciriello, who is the current analytical coach, will be the other assistant coach in new set-up.
"Shivendra Singh will join the Indian team soon as an assistant coach soon. He will work with the forwards under the new chief coach," a source close to the development said.
Shivendra was part of the Indian team that won a Silver medal in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, besides being a member of the Bronze medal-winning side of 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games.
The coaching set-up will also have SAI coach Piyush Kumar Dubey, who is already with the team at the ongoing Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia. He will exclusively work with the goalkeepers.